Multiple blade set strip apparatus for cable and wire

ABSTRACT

The method of processing wire to cut the wire into sections and to strip sheathing from the wire to expose wire ends at opposite ends of the sections, and by operation of wire feed means and cutter means, the steps that include operating the feed means and cutter means to displace the wire endwise along an axis to a first position; sever the wire thereby to form wire forward and rearward sections, the forward section having a rearward end portion; and, the rearward section having a forward end portion, and; stripping sheathing from the forward section rearward portion and from the rearward section forward portion thereby to expose wire ends at the portions; the cutter means including three blade pairs, each pair including two blades located at opposite sides of the axis, both blades of one pair being displaced toward the wire to sever the wire, and both blades of the remaining two pairs being displaced toward the wire sections to strip sheathing from the rearward and forward portions during controlled endwise displacement of the sections. A sheathing slug or slugs may alternatively be relatively displaced along the wire section or sections to protectively overhang an end or ends of wire metal core, the slug or slugs not then be completely stripped from the section or sections.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/765,986, filed Sep.26, 1993 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,555 which is a continuation-in-part ofSer. No. 659,557 filed Feb. 22, 1991, now abandoned which is acontinuation-in-part of Ser. No. 611,057 filed Nov. 9, 1990, which isU.S. Pat. No. 5,146,673.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to wire or cable severing, as well asstripping sheathing from severed wire sections; and more particularly,it concerns unusual advantages, method and apparatus to effect severingof a wire or cable into two sections, and stripping of sheathing offends of both sections, with minimal motions of severing and strippingelements and in minimum time.

There is continual need for equipment capable of severing wire or cableinto sections, and also capable of rapidly and efficiently strippingsheathing off ends of those sections. It is desirable that thesefunctions be carried out as a wire or cable travels along generally thesame axis, i.e., progresses forwardly, and that multiple wire and cablesections of selected length be produced, each having its opposite endsstripped of sheathing, to expose bare metal core wire at each end.Further, it is desirable that simple, radial and axial strippingadjustments be achieved upon multiple wire sections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a major object of the invention to provide apparatus and methodmeeting the above need. The word "wire" will be used to include cablewithin its scope, and vice versa.

Basically, the method involves processing the wire into sections as bydisplacing the wire endwise along an axis to a first position; severingthe wire thereby to form wire forward and rearward sections, the forwardsection having a rearward end portion, and the rearward section having aforward end portion; and stripping sheathing from the forward sectionrearward portion and from the rearward section forward portion therebyto expose wire cores at those end portions.

In this regard, the cutter means typically may include three bladepairs, each pair including two blades located at opposite sides of theaxis, both blades of one pair being displaced toward the wire to severthe wire, and both blades of the remaining two pairs being displacedtoward the wire sections to strip sheathing from the rearward andforward portions during controlled endwise displacement of the sections.Both blades of one pair are typically displaced into overlappingrelation to sever the wire, and both blades of each of the remaining twopairs are displaced to cut only into opposite sides of the sheathing andto strip sheathing from the end portions of the sections as the sectionsare displaced endwise simultaneously.

Another object is to displace the two sections endwise, thereby todisplace wire incorporating one of the sections to the first position.The method further includes the step of separating the sections axiallyrelatively endwise after the step of severing of the wire and prior tothe step of stripping of sheathing from the section end portions. Inaddition, the method may include the step of further separating thesections axially relatively endwise after the blades of the remainingtwo pairs have been displaced toward the wire sections to cut into thesheathing, thereby to pull sheathing slugs off the wire end portions toexpose the wire end cores.

Yet another object is to guide displacement of the wire endwise alongthe axis, at locations between blade pairs; and in this regard, both ofthe forward and rearward sections may be so guided.

A further object is to carry out separation of the forward and rearwardwire sections by advancing one section and retracting the other section,relative to the one blade pair; and the method typically involvescarrying out further separation of the sections by further advancing theone section and further retracting the other section, relative to eachone blade pair.

Apparatus for processing wire into sections, as referred to, and tostrip sheathing from the sections to expose wire core ends, basicallyincludes:

a) conveyor means for displacing the wire, including the sections,axially endwise,

b) first cutter means including multiple blades located for movementtoward the axis, and a first drive means for controllably displacing themultiple cutter blades toward the axis to sever the wire,

c) second and third cutter means each including multiple blades locatedfor movement toward the axis, and additional drive means forcontrollably displacing the multiple blades of the second and thirdcutter means toward the axis to cut into the sheathing, the second andthird cutter means respectively located at axially opposite sides of thefirst cutter means and axially spaced therefrom,

d) and drive means to controllably drive the conveyor means to

i) position the wire to be severed by the first cutter means, thereby toproduce forward and rearward wire sections,

ii) relatively displace the sections axially, into positions to enablepenetration of the second and third cutter means blades into thesheathing, for subsequent stripping of sheathing from a rearward portionof the forward section and from a forward portion of the rearwardsection, as during or in association with controlled endwisedisplacement of the sections by the conveyor means.

Forward and rearward pairs of endless conveyors are typically employed,each pair of conveyors defining a wire gripping zone, such zonesmaintained in alignment with the wire sections during separation of thelatter. Means is further provided to maintain one conveyor of each pairlaterally displaced relatively toward the other conveyor of the pair toclamp the wire sections between the conveyors of the pairs during thefurther separation of the wire sections, and operating the conveyorpairs in endless relation to effect the relative separation in alongitudinal direction.

As will also be seen, the blades of the first cutter means typicallyhave positions of relative overlap to sever the wire, in response tooperation of the first drive means; and the blades of the second andthird cutter means typically have positions of penetration only into thesheathing of the section end portions and to such depths as to enablestripping of the sheathing end portions in response to the controllabledriving of the conveyor means.

A further object is to provide a method of processing wire to cut thewire into sections and to remove sheathing from the wire to expose wireends at opposite ends of the sections, and by operation of wire feedmeans and cutter means, the steps of the method including operating thefeed means and cutter means to:

a) displace the wire endwise along an axis to a first position,

b) sever the wire thereby to form wire forward and rearward sections,the forward section having a rearward end portion, and the rearwardsection having a forward end portion, and

c) remove sheathing from the forward section rearward portion and fromthe rearward section forward portion thereby to expose wire ends,

d) the cutter means including three blade pairs, each pair including twoblades located at opposite sides of the axis, both blades of one pairbeing displaced toward the wire to sever the wire, and including thestep of controllably displacing both blades of the remaining two pairstoward the wire sections to controlled depths thereby to removesheathing from the rearward and forward portions in association withcontrolled endwise displacement of the sections,

e) the sections being controllably endwise displaced to control thelengthwise dimensions of the removed sheathing.

Alternative steps to d) and e) include the use of drive means tocontrollably drive the conveyor means to relatively displace thesections axially, into positions to enable penetration of the blades ofthe remaining two pairs into the sheathing, for subsequent displacementof sheathing slugs along a rearward portion of the forward section andalong a forward portion of the rearward section, in association withcontrolled endwise displacement of the sections by the conveyor means,the sections being controllably endwise displaced to control thelengthwise displacement of the slugs along the wire for protecting wireends.

In the above, the wire end or ends protected by the sheathing slugs, asagainst fraying, may comprise multiple clustered strands having multipleends protectively surrounded by the displaced slugs. Also, the methodmay include displacing only one slug along its wire section to protectthe associated metallic cut end of the stranded wire.

In addition, novel and unusually effective apparatus is provided toadvance the three sets of blades simultaneously toward the wire to firstsever, and subsequently strip or remove wire sheathing, at multipleaxial locations, wire sections being axially displaced while severingblades are closed, and prior to closure of sheath stripping bladestoward the sections. Pushing or ejecting of severed insulation slugs isalso provided for.

Additional objects include the provision of means for supporting theblades in a blade holder in such manner as to permit ease of bladeremoval and replacement; magnetic means to initially hold the blades inthe blade holder prior to their being clamped in position, therebypreventing inadvertent drop-out of the multiple blades as they are beinginstalled; means for releasably locking the blades in installed andclamped condition; the integration of wire guide means with severed slugtrap door means and ejector means; the provision for simple, timedactuation of the slug trap door means and injector means; and theprovision of wire position sensing means, to sense arrival of the wireat the blade region, which is very important when extremely smalldiameter wire is being procured, the position of such wire rearwardlybeing difficult to ascertain.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as thedetails of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understoodfrom the following specification and drawings, in which:

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1a-1f are diagrammatic views showing steps in the method of wireor cable processing;

FIG. 2 is a side view elevation showing wire displacing and processingapparatus;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view showing the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view, taken in elevation, showing wire belt displacingdrive apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an elevation showing spring urging of wire drive belts;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-section taken in elevation to show sheathingstripping actuator structure;

FIG. 7 is a view like FIG. 6 but showing the blades in advancedpositions;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 mechanism;

FIG. 9 is an end view showing wire severing blades in wire severingposition, as in FIG. 1b;

FIG. 10 is an end view like FIG. 9 showing the sheathing strippingblades, in sheathing stripping position, as per FIG. 1d;

FIG. 10a is a view showing stripping blade edge penetration into wiresheathing;

FIG. 11 is a view like FIGS. 9 and 10, but showing all blades inretracted position, as in FIGS. 1a and 1f;

FIG. 12 is an end view taken on lines 12--12 of FIG. 11;

FIGS. 13a-13d are diagrammatic views showing additional steps in themethod of wire or cable processing;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation showing cut insulation slug release andejection means;

FIG. 15 is a plan view on lines 15--15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an end elevation taken on lines 16-16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a schematic showing of slug pusher operation;

FIGS. 18a-18f are perspective views showing steps in the method of wireprocessing;

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view like that of FIG. 2 showing wireconveying and processing apparatus;

FIG. 20 is an end view taken on lines 20--20 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a section taken in elevation on lines 21--21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a section taken in elevation on lines 22--22 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a section taken on lines 23--23 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a section taken on lines 24--24 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 is a vertical section taken on lines 25--25 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 26 is a plan view, partly in section, taken on lines 26--26 of FIG.25;

FIG. 27 is an elevation taken on lines 27--27 of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged plan view, like that of FIG. 26, showing wireslug trap door and pusher elements in outwardly pivoted states;

FIG. 29 is an elevation taken on lines 29--29 of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged frontal elevation taken on lines 30--30 of FIG.25;

FIG. 31 is an enlarged vertical section taken on lines 31--31 of FIG. 30showing blade retention means;

FIG. 32 is a further enlarged section showing a portion of FIG. 31, witha blade retention means in released position;

FIG. 33 is a horizontal plan view taken in section on lines 33--33 ofFIG. 30;

FIG. 34 is a horizontal plan view taken in section on lines 34--34 ofFIG. 30;

FIGS. 35a-35c are enlarged views showing actuation of wire slug trapdoor and pusher elements;

FIG. 36 is a section taken on lines 36--36 of FIG. 35a;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a wire guide element;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a wire slug trap door element;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a wire slug pusher door element;

FIG. 40 is a side elevational view of a wire advancement detectionmeans;

FIG. 41 is an end view taken on lines 41--41 of FIG. 40; and

FIG. 42 is a circuit diagram.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIGS. 1a-1f, they show in diagrammatic form thepositions of both wire severing and sheathing stripping blades, duringvarious steps in the wire processing procedure or method. In thisregard, the "wire" 10 (meant to also refer to cable) has a metal core11a and a tubular sheathing 11b about the core. The wire is shownextending axially longitudinally in FIGS. 1a-1f, the axis being locatedat 12.

First cutter means is provided to include, or may be considered toinclude, multiple blades. See for example the two wire-cutting blades13a and 13b of a first set, located or carried for movement laterallytoward and away from the wire axis 12. A first drive for controllablysimultaneously enabling or advancing the blades toward one another,laterally oppositely (see arrows 14a and 14b in FIG. 1b), is shown at15. That drive is also operable to retract the blades 13a and 13b awayfrom one another.

Second and third cutter means are also provided, for sheathingstripping, and each may be considered to include multiple blades locatedfor movement toward and away from the axis 12. See for example thesecond set of two blades 16a and 16b, and the third set of two blades17a and 17b.

Blades 16a and 16b are located or considered to be controllablysimultaneously displaced, as by drive 18, laterally oppositely, towardone another (see arrows 19a and 19b in FIG. 1d), the drive also operableto retract the blades 16a and 16b away from one another. Similarly, theblades 17a and 17b are located or carried to be controllably displaced,simultaneously, laterally oppositely toward one another (see arrows 20aand 20b in FIG. 1d), and drive 18 may be used for this purpose. Thus,blades 16a and 16b may be displaced toward one another at the same timeand to the same extent as blades 17a and 17b are displaced towardanother, as is clear from FIG. 1d. The latter shows that the blades 16aand 16b, and 17a and 17b, do not sever the wire but may closely approachthe wire while cutting into sheathing 11 for stripping purposes.

Brief reference to FIGS. 9-11 show the blades 16a and 16b to haveV-shape, as do wire severing blades 13a and 13b, and blades 17a and 17b.Note edges 16a' and 16a" and 16b' and 16b" (of blades 16a and 16b)cutting into the sheathing in FIG. 10a to approach the wire core fromfour sides for efficient stripping, while leaving the core uncut.Similar functioning of blade edges 17a' and 17a", and 17b' and 17b" alsotakes place, as in FIG. 1d.

FIG. 1a shows displacement of the wire axially endwise andlongitudinally, as by a conveyor means 21a to the first position asshown. FIG. 1b shows the step of severing the wire thereby to form wireforward and rearward sections 10a and 10b, the blades 13a and 13b beingadvanced laterally to accomplish complete severing at locus 22, asshown. Note that wire forward section 10a has a rearward end portion10aa; and the wire rearward section 10b has a forward end portion 10bb.

FIG. 1c shows the step of controllably separating the two sections 10aand 10b axially endwise oppositely, as to the positions shown, in whichthe end portions 10aa and 10bb are spaced from the closed-togetherblades 13a and 13b. Guides 24 and 25, provided between the blade sets,serve to accurately guide the wire and the sections 10a and 10b duringthe cutting and severing operation, as is clear from FIGS. 1a-1f. Notethe tapered entrances 24a and 25a to the guides to receive and centerthe forwardly advanced wire.

Wire drives 21a and 21b are controllably operated to engage and separatethe two sections 10a and 10b, as indicated in FIGS. 1a and 1c.

FIG. 1d shows a sub-step included within the step of stripping sheathingfrom the forward section rearward portion and from the rearward sectionforward portion thereby to expose wire ends at the portions. Note thatblades 16a and 16b are simultaneously advanced laterally oppositely, asto blade edge positions described above as respects FIG. 10a, and asblades 17a and 17b are also simultaneously advanced laterally oppositely(as to the same extent if such stripping is to be equal for each wiresection). Note that blades 13a and 13b now extend in laterallyoverlapping condition due to operation of drives 15 and 18 as one, i.e.,equal rightward lateral displacement for blades 13a, 16a and 17a, andequal leftward lateral displacement for blades 13b, 16b and 17b;however, they may be separately driven so as not to extend in suchrelation, as shown. Blades 13a, 16a and 17a may be connected together tomove rightwardly to equal extent; and blades 13b, 16a and 17b may alsobe connected together to move leftwardly as one, for extreme simplicity.

FIG. 1e shows operation of the wire drives to further endwise separatethe wire sections 10a and 10b so as to pull or strip two sheathing endportions 11b' and 11b" from the wire sections 10a and 10b, thereby toexpose the wire core end portions 11a' and 11a". The stripped sheathingend portions 11b' and 11b", or slugs are allowed to drop out frombetween the pairs of guides 24 and 25 which may be split, as shown, toprovide slug drop-out openings, and may be movable to facilitate suchdrop out.

FIG. 1f shows all blades laterally retracted and the wire rearwardsection 10b fully advanced into position corresponding to FIG. 1aposition for controlled length endwise positioning to be processed, asin FIGS. 1b-1e to provide an exposed core end at its opposite end. Thus,controlled length wires (or cables), with exposed core lengths at eachend of each wire, is efficiently and rapidly and controllably provided.See master control 35 to control all the driving, as described, and tobe described.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-8, one form of apparatus to accomplish theabove operations (FIGS. 1a-1f) is shown in detail. A frame is provided,as at 40-44 and 44a, to mount two conveyors 45 and 46, which may beconsidered as included within the wire drives 30 and 31, as mentioned.Such conveyors may include two rearwardly positioned endless belts 47and 48, and two forwardly positioned endless belts 49 and 50. The beltsprovide stretches, as at 47' and 48', which are adapted to sidewiseflatly grip the wire 10 (and specifically the wire rearward section 10b)for endwise advancement and retraction, as during separation of thesections 10a and 10b in FIG. 1c; and stretches 49' and 50' are adaptedto sidewise grip the wire 10 (and specifically the wire forward section10a) for endwise advancement and retraction.

The belts 47 and 48 are driven to advance or retract the wire section10a as from a drive motor 52 (see FIG. 4). The output shaft 53 of themotor drives belt 54, as via a pulley 55, and belt 54 drives shafts 56and 57. Shaft 56 drives another shaft 58, through gearing 59 and 60, todrive shaft 58 and upper conveyor belt 47 clockwise; whereas lower shaft57 and lower belt 48 are driven counterclockwise in FIG. 2. This drivesthe wire forwardly; whereas when motor 52 is reversed, the wire isdriven rearwardly. Additional axles or shafts for the conveyor belts 47and 48 appear at 58a and 57a.

FIG. 2 shows conveyor rotors 60 and 61, and 62 and 63. These carry thebelts 47 and 48. Axles 58a and 57a are driven by drive belts 64 and 65extending between pulleys on the shafts 58 and 58a, and 57 and 57a, asshown. Accordingly, when the belt stretches 47' and 48' are closedagainst opposite sides of the wire 10, and the motor 52 is operating,the wire is displaced endwise.

Means is provided to move the conveyor belt stretches 47' and 48' towardone another to clutch the wire, and away from one another to de-clutchthe wire. See for example in FIGS. 3-5 the motor or drive 66 carried bya frame part 67 to rotate a vertical screw shaft 68, as via motor outputshaft 69, pulley 70, belt 71, and pulley 72 on the screw shaft 68. Thescrew shaft has screw thread engagement at 73 and 74 with frame members75 and 76. Frame member 76 supports the ends of shafts 58 and 58a, viamember extension 76a, as at 58' and 58a'; whereas frame member 75supports the ends of shafts 57 and 57a, via member extension 75a, as at57' and 57a'. Screw threading interfit at 74 is oppositely "handed"relative to threading interfit at 73, so that when shaft 68 is rotatedin one direction about its axis, the frame members 75 and 76 aredisplaced toward one another, whereby conveyor stretches 47' and 48' mayclamp the wire; and when the shaft 68 is rotated in the oppositedirection about its axis, the members 75 and 76 are displaced away fromeach other, and the wire is de-clutched.

The bearing supports at 78 and 79 for shafts 58 and 57 are made looseenough to accommodate such up/down movement of those shafts at theconveyor belt drive locations. Note also couplings at 110 and 111.

Tension springs 90 and 91 are provided (see FIG. 5) between fixed framestructure 92 and shoulders 76a' on 76a to yieldably urge the structures76 and 76a, and the belt stretch 47' downwardly; and similarly, tensionsprings 93 and 94 are provided between fixed frame structure 95 andshoulder 75a' on 75 to yieldably urge the structure 75 and 75a and thebelt stretch 48' upwardly. This provides clearance "take-up" for bettercontrol of wire gripping or clamping.

The forward conveyor unit 46 embodies conveyor belt drive and up/downmovement the same as described in connection with unit 45 in FIGS. 3-5.The drive motor 52a for driving the belt stretches 49' and 50' forwardlyand reversely is seen in FIG. 3, as is the motor 66a to control beltclamping of the forward wire section. Mechanism between the motors 52aand 66a, and the respective forward conveyor belts 49 and 50, is thesame as above described mechanism between motors 52 and 66 and therespective rearward conveyor belts 47 and 48; however, the motors 52 and51a are typically operated simultaneously, either to drive the wire orwire sections forwardly, as in FIGS. 1a and 1f, or to drive the wiresections endwise oppositely, as in FIGS. 1c and 1e. A master control tocontrol all drives, in a pre-programmed manner, is seen at 125.

Referring to FIG. 11, the wire severing blades 13a and 13b are fullylaterally retracted, as are the wire sheathing stripping blades 16a and16b. Blades 17a and 17b are in axial alignment with blades 16a and 16b,and are not shown. Note V-angled blade edges 13a' and 13a", and bladeedges 13b' and 13b". The blades 13a, 16a and 17a at one side of the wire10 are interconnected by axially extending carrier rod 80; and theblades 13b, 16b and 17b at the opposite ends of the wire areinterconnected by axially extending carrier rod 81, laterally spacedfrom rod 80. Rods 80 and 81 are relatively movable laterally toward oneanother to effect wire severing, as by blades 13a and 13b (see FIG. 9and also FIG. 1b). Rods 80 and 81 are further laterally movable towardone another to effect penetration of the blade edges 16a' and 16a", and16b' and 16b" into the sheathing (as in FIGS. 10 and 10a), and as alsoseen in FIG. 1d. Thereafter, the wire forward and rearward sections 10aand 10b are separated as in FIG. 1e to endwise strip the slugs 10aa and10 bb, off the wire cores, as also seen in FIG. 11. Dropping of the slugis also seen in FIG. 11, as is lowering of a wire guide lower sector Bof guide 11b", to release the slug. The upper guide sector is shown atA. A drive 130 is operable to lower and raise sector B.

Means to effect the described lateral movement of the blade carrier rods80 and 81 in shown in FIGS. 3, and 6-8. As seen, a laterally extendinglead screw 90 is rotatable by a drive motor 91, carried by frame part83. See connecting shaft 93. As screw 90 rotates in one direction aboutits axis 90a, nuts 94 and 95 on the screw threads travel axiallyoppositely (see arrows 96 and 97) to move rod 80 to the right and rod 81to the left, as in FIGS. 9 and 10. See connectors 98 and 99 connectingnut 94 with rod 81, and connectors 100 and 101 connecting nut 95 withrod 80. A pair of parallel lead screws 90 may be utilized for thesepurposes, as see in FIG. 8, each driven by the motor 91, with one leadscrew associated with blades 16a and 16b, and the other associated withblades 17a and 17b. Balanced force transmission to the two sets ofblades is thereby effected. See also frame elements 110-116 supportingthe structure, as indicated. Bearings appear at 117 and 118. Anadditional tubular wire guide is seen at 119.

Referring now to FIGS. 13a-13b, the elements which correspond to thosein FIGS. 1a)-1f) bear the same numerals. FIG. 13a corresponds to FIG.1c; and FIG. 13b corresponds to FIG. 1e. In FIG. 13b, prior to the timethe blades 16a, 16b, 17a, and 17b penetrate into the sheathing 11b, thewire sections 10a and 10b are displaced, endwise axially oppositely, tocontrolled extent as by drives 21a and 21b, under computer control, soas to control such displacement. See for example the displacements d₁.This in effect controls the length l₁ and l₂ of slugs of insulation 11b'and 11b", as between slug ends 11c' and 11c" and 11d' and 11d", ends11c" and 11d" being adjacent, respectively, the cutters 16a and 16b, and17a and 17b which penetrate and cut the insulation.

Thereafter, the blades 16a and 16b, and 17a and 17b penetrate into thesheathing, and wire sections 10a and 10b are displaced axially endwiseoppositely (see arrows 200 and 201), to controlled extents h₁ and h₂ asby the computer-controlled drives 21a and 21b, to relatively displacethe insulation slugs to positions shown in FIGS. 13b, 13c and 13d,wherein the slugs protectively overhang the cut ends 11aa and 11bb ofwire core. This protects against fraying of ends of wire clusteredstrands as seen at 11c in FIGS. 13b-13d. The blades are then retracted,to leave the wire sections and slugs, as seen in FIG. 13c, the finalproduct being seen in FIG. 13d. Note the exposed wire core extents 11fand 11g between the opposite end insulation slugs 11b' and 11b", and themain extent 11j of insulation. The slugs are held in position on thecore by friction, and may be pulled off at time of wire use.

In the above, the cutters can be oriented to move horizontally, orvertically, or in other directions.

In FIGS. 14-16, the blade arrangements and operations are the same as inFIGS. 1a-1f and 13a and 13b, the blades moving vertically. Note in thisregard the blade actuators 180 and 181, carrying rods 80 and 81 seen inFIGS. 9-12. Such actuators are also seen in FIGS. 3 and 8. Drives forthe actuators are schematically indicated at 15' in FIG. 16. Wire 10passing endwise through the blade region is guided by guides 124 and125, corresponding to guides 24 and 25 in FIGS. 1a-1f. As in FIG. 11, apart of each guide is movable away from a slug of insulation formed byclosing of the blades as described above. In this embodiment, the twoguides have parts 124a and 125a that are swingable away from the wireaxis-see the broken line position 124a' of guide part 124a in FIG. 14for example. Guide parts that do not move away from the wire areindicated at 124b and 125b. A pin 127 pivotally attaches each part 124aand 125a to frame structure 128.

A reciprocating drive swings the part 124a to position 124a' and back,under the control of master control 35. That drive, for example,includes a motor 130, and linkage means, including interconnected links131-134 operatively connected between the motor shaft 135" and the part124a. A corresponding motor 130a and links 131a-134a are connected topart 125a to pivot same. Guide parts 124a and 125a have concave arcuatewire guide surfaces, as at 124aa.

Also provided is a pusher and drive therefor for displacing the pusherto bodily push against the side of the severed length of sheathing(slug) for ejecting same in operative conjunction with moving (pivoting)of the part 124a. See for example the reciprocating plunger 135, and itsdrive, connected to the same drive as used to pivot the part 124a.

In FIG. 14, the plunger 135 is connected to the linkage 133 and 132. Seealso FIG. 17 showing plunger 135 connected at 132a to link 132. The nose135' of the plunger is shown pushing the wire slug 10aa to the left. Asimilar pusher is operated in conjunction with pivoting of wire guidepart 125a. A wire guide opening appears at 140 in FIG. 14. Motors 130and 130a operate in one direction (rotate 180°) and then operate inreverse (-180°) to drive the pushers and swingable guide parts.

Referring now to FIGS. 18a-18f, they correspond generally andrespectively to FIGS. 1a-1f, insofar as successive blade positions insevering the wire 210 and stripping insulation therefrom are concerned.Thus, first cutter means includes the two wire-cutting blades 213a and213b of a first set, located or carried for movement laterally towardand away from the wire axis 212. Second cutter means includes blades216a and 216b located for movement toward and away from axis 212, forstripping sheathing from the wire at one axial side of blades 213a and213b; and third cutter means includes blades 217a and 217b movabletoward and away from axis 212, for stripping sheathing from the wire atthe opposite axial side of blades 213a and 213b.

Blades 216a and 216b, and blades 217a and 217b, do not sever the wire,but closely approach the wire while cutting into sheathing 211, forstripping purposes. See FIGS. 18d and 18e. A drive 218 is connected at218a to blades 213a, 216a and 217a to move them laterally andsimultaneously toward and away from the wire; and a drive 219 isconnected at 219a to blades 213b, 216b and 217b to move them laterallyand simultaneously toward and away from the wire.

The blades are shown as thin, flat steel sheets, formed to havedovetailed tongue ends at 213a₁, 216a₁, 217a₁, and at 213b₁, 216b₁, and217b₁. Such dovetailed ends are receivable in and gripped by dovetailedgroove holders schematically indicated at 229 and 230, assuring ease ofreplacement of the blades, while also assuring positive gripping of theblades and their proper alignment.

Such holders 229 and 230 may be considered as parts of the drives 218aand 219a, respectively. The blades themselves have V-shaped cuttingedges arranged in pairs in opposed relation. Thus, blades 213a and 213bhave opposed V-shaped edges at 213a₂ and 213b₂, which sidewardlyslidably overlap completely during wire severing (see FIG. 18b); blades216a and 216b have opposed V-shaped edges at 216a₂ and 216b₂ whichsidewardly slidably overlap to limited extent during sheathing stripping(see FIGS. 18d and 18e); and blades 217a and 217b have opposed V-shapededges at 217a₂ and 217b₂ which sidewardly overlap to limited extentduring sheathing stripping (see FIGS. 18d and 18e). Such opposedV-shapes of the cutting edges assure complete severing of the sheathing.

FIG. 18a shows wire 11 axially endwise advancement of the wire to firstposition. FIG. 18b shows the step of severing the wire thereby to formwire forward and rearward sections 210a and 210b, the blades 213a and213b being advanced laterally toward the wire, from opposite sides, toaccomplish severing.

Note that wire forward section 210a has a rearward end portion 210aa;and the wire rearward section 210b has a forward end portion 210bb.

FIG. 18c shows the step of controllably separating the two sections 210aand 210b axially endwise oppositely, as to the positions shown, in whichthe end portions 210aa and 210bb are spaced from the closed-togetherblades 213a and 213b. Guides provided between the blade sets, serve toaccurately guide the wire and the sections 210a and 210b during thecutting and severing operation. Such guides are seen for example in 524and 525 in FIGS. 34, 35a, 35b, 35c, 37, 38, and 39. Note the taperedentrances 524a and 525a to the guides to receive and center theforwardly advanced wire.

Wire drives, schematically indicated at 230 and 231, are controllablyoperated to axially advance and separate the two wire sections 210a and210b, as indicated in FIGS. 18a and 18c.

FIG. 18d shows a sub-step included within the step of strippingsheathing from the forward section rearward portion and from therearward section forward portion thereby to expose wire ends at theportions. Note that blades 216a and 216b are simultaneously advancedlaterally oppositely, as blades 217a and 217b are also simultaneouslyadvanced laterally oppositely (and to the same extent if such strippingis to be equal for each wire section). Note that blades 213a and 213bnow extend in laterally overlapping condition due to operation of bladedrives 218 and 219 as one, i.e., equal downward lateral displacement forblades 213a, 216b and 217b, and equal upward lateral displacement forblades 213b, 216b and 217b; however, they may be separately driven so asnot to extend in such relation, as shown. Blades 213a, 216a and 217a maybe connected together to move downwardly to equal extent; and blades213b, 216b and 217b are connected together to move upwardly as one, forextreme simplicity.

FIG. 18e shows operation of the wire drives 230 and 231 to furtherendwise separate the wire sections 210a and 210b so as to pull or striptwo sheathing end portions 210a' and 210b' from the wire sections 210aand 210b, thereby to expose the wire core end portions 211a' and 211b'.The stripped sheathing end portions or slugs 210a' and 210b', areejected, as will be seen, from between the pairs of guides 524 and 525which may be shaped to provide for slug sideward de-confinement andejection, as will be described further.

FIG. 18f shows all blades laterally retracted and the wire rearwardsection 210b fully advanced into position corresponding to FIG. 1aposition for controlled length, endwise positioning to be processed, asin FIGS. 18b-18e to provide an exposed core end at its opposite end.Thus, controlled length wires (or cables), with exposed core lengths ateach end of each wire, are efficiently and rapidly and controllablyprovided. See master control 325 to control all the drives, asdescribed, and to be described.

Referring to FIGS. 19-25, apparatus to perform the operations describedas respects FIGS. 18a-18f is shown in detail. A frame is provided as at240-244 and 244a to mount conveyors, as represented by roller groups 245and 246. These may be regarded as included within the wire drives 230and 231, as mentioned. Such conveyors may include two rearwardlypositioned endless belts 247 and 248; and two forwardly positionedendless belts 249 and 250. The belts 247 and 248 provide stretches, asat 247' and 248', which are adapted to sidewise flatly grip the wire orcable 210 (and specifically section 210b) for endwise advancement andretraction, as during separation of the wire sections 210a and 210b inFIG. 18c. Likewise, stretches 249' and 250', provided by belts 249 and250, are adapted to sidewise grip the wire or cable 210 (andspecifically the forward wire section 210a) for endwise advancement andretraction.

Belts 249 and 250 are driven to advance or retract the wire section210a, as from a drive motor 252 (see FIG. 20). The output shaft 253 ofthe motor drives belt 254, as via a sprocket 255, and belt 254 drivesshaft 256. Sprocket 255 also drives a belt 254a, which drives a shaft257 via a pulley 257a. Shaft 256 drives another shaft 258, as viaangular reversing gearing 259 and 260, in order to drive shaft 258,shaft 258' and upper conveyor belt 249 counterclockwise; whereas lowershaft 257, shaft 257' and lower conveyor belt 250 are driven clockwise,in FIG. 19. The conveyor belts drive the wire endwise in one axialdirection; whereas, when the motor 252 is reversed, the wire is drivenendwise in the opposite axial direction.

FIG. 22 shows additional coupling 410 between offset shafts 258 and258', and coupling 411 between offset shafts 257 and 257'. Suchcouplings include the timing belts 412 and 413, and timing gears 414 and415, and 416 and 417, as shown. Shafts 257 and 258 are typically notpivotable (to swing bodily); whereas shafts 257' and 258' may pivot, ineffect, as their support plates 418 and 419 are moved up and down aslead screw 268 rotates. See the horizontal lost-motion, connection-typebearing supports 418' and 419' for those shafts in FIG. 22. This allowsthe conveyor belt stretches 249' and 250' to be flatly and adjustablyengaged and disengaged with the wire or cable 210, as seen in FIG. 22.See also FIG. 21.

FIG. 19 also shows conveyor rotors 260 and 261, and 262 and 263. Thesecarry the belts 249 and 250. Axle 258" for rotor 261 is suitably drivenby axle 258', as via a belt and pulleys; and axle 257" is suitablydriven by axle 257', as via a belt and pulleys (see in FIG. 2 drivebelts 14 and 15, etc.). Accordingly, when the belt stretches 249' and250' are closed against the opposite sides of the wire 210b, and themotor 252 is operating, the wire is displaced endwise. Similar drivesfor conveyors 247 and 248 are provided, as shown.

Means is provided to move the conveyor belt stretches 249' and 250'relatively toward one another to clutch the wire, and away from oneanother to de-clutch the wire. See for example in FIGS. 19-21 the motoror drive 266 carried by a frame part 241 to rotate a vertical lead screwshaft 268, as via motor output shaft 269, sprocket 270, timing belt 271,and sprocket 272 on shaft 268. The screw shaft has screw threadengagement at 273 and 274 with nut members 275 and 276, associatedrespectively with plates 418 and 419.

Plate 418 supports the end of shaft 258', for up and down movement; andplate 419 supports the end of shaft 257' for up and down movement.Support of such shaft ends is via the lost-motion connections describedabove at 418' and 419'. Screw threaded connection to the nut 275 isoppositely "handed" relative to threaded connection to nut 276, so thatwhen shaft 268 is rotated in one direction about its axis, the nuts 275and 276, and plates 418 and 419 (and shafts 257' and 258') are yieldablydisplaced toward one another, whereby conveyor stretches 249' and 250'may clamp the wire; and when the shaft 268 is rotated in the oppositedirection about its axis, the nuts and plates are yieldably displacedaway from one another, and the wire is de-clutched. Nuts 275 and 276 areconfined in vertical slots 275' and 276' in plates 418 and 419, allowingrelative movement between the nuts and plates.

Compression springs 290 and 291 are provided (see FIGS. 22) between thenuts and the supports 418 and 419 to yieldably urge the supports 418 and419 toward one another, in response to lead screw 268 rotation in onedirection, to provide clearance "take-up" for better control of wiregripping, especially for smaller diameter wires. Those springs engageshoulders 418a and 419a, as shown. Additional compression springs 290aand 291a are provided between the nuts and shoulder 418b and 419b toyieldably urge the plates and shafts apart as the lead screw rotates inthe opposite angular direction. Similar structures are associated withthe conveyors 247 and 248, and bearing the same identifying numbers.

The rearward conveyor unit 245 embodies conveyor belt drive, and up/downmovement the same as described in connection with unit 246 in FIGS.19-22. The drive motor 252a (not shown) for driving the belt stretches247' and 248' forwardly and reversely is similar to motor 252, andcorresponds to motor 66 in FIGS. 2. The motor to control belt clampingof the wire is seen at 266a in FIG. 19. Mechanism operation between suchrearward motors and the respective belts 247 and 248 is the same asmechanism between motors 266 and 252, and belts 249 and 250. The forwardand rearward belt motors 252 and 252a are typically operatedsimultaneously, either to drive the wire or wire sections forwardly, asin FIGS. 18a and 18f, or to drive the wire sections endwise oppositely,as in FIGS. 18c and 18e. A master control to control all drives in apredetermined manner is seen at 325, in FIG. 18a.

In FIGS. 25, 30 and 31, blades 213a, 216a, and 217a at the upper side ofthe wire are interconnected, as by the laterally extending blade holder280, and the blades 213b, 216b and 217b at the lower side of the wireare interconnected by laterally extending blade holder 281, verticallyspaced from holder 280. Those holders are vertically movable toward oneanother to effect wire severing, as by V edges of blades 213a and 213b.Those holders are further movable toward one another to effectpenetration into the sheathing of the edges of blades 216a, 216b, and217a and 217b. Thereafter, the wire forward and rearward sections 210band 210a are separated, axially, as in FIG. 18e, to endwise strip theinsulation tubular slugs off the wire cores, a typical slug 210aa beingejected, as in FIG. 35c. That view also shows dropping of the ejectedslug, away from the mechanism.

Means to effect the described lateral movement of the blade holders 280and 281 is shown in FIGS. 19, 25 and 30. As seen, a vertical lead screw290 is rotatable by a drive motor 291, carried by drive structure 292a-292c. Screw 290 bearings are indicated at 290a. Belt and pulley elements501-503 connect motor 291 to the screw. As screw 290 rotates in onedirection about its axis, nuts 294 and 295 on the screw threads travelaxially oppositely along the .screw to move blade holder 280 down andholder 281 upwardly. See sliding blocks 298 and 299 connecting holder280 with nut 294, and holder 281 with nut 295. Block bearings 298a and299a slide along guide rods 310, carried by frame structure 292a and292c.

In FIGS. 31-33, the blade holder 280 is held in interengagement at 311with the block 298 by a clamp 312, which engages the front side of theholder at 313. A fastener 314 attaches the clamp to the block 298.Dovetailed tongue end 216a' of blade 216a has one angled edge surface216a₁ ', engaged with correspondingly dovetailed surface 280a₁, forretention. A retainer in the form of a shaft 420 has an interior flatsurface 420a rotatable into corresponding engagement with the oppositelyangled surface 216a₂ ' of the blade, thereby to retain and locate theblade, vertically. Set screws 420a keep shaft 420 from rotating.

FIGS. 31 and 33 also show the dovetailed portions of three bladesfitting in position, as in vertical slots 415-417 defined by a bladeclamp bar or bars 419. Screws 426 attach bar or bars 419 to blade holder280. Magnets 427, carried by the block 298, are positioned tomagnetically attract vertical edge portions of the blades (as at 216d inFIG. 31) to keep the three blades positioned as they are initiallyreceived in slots 415-417, and prior to rotation of shaft 420, asdescribed, into FIG. 31 position, to positively hold the blades. Shaft420 has end extents 420c and 420d carried in bearing openings 431 and432 in holder 280 parts 280f and 280g. See also manually rotatablehandle 433 on shaft 420. Reverse rotation of shaft 420 allows quick,manual frontward reversal, and replacement of the blades.

Referring now to FIGS. 26-29, 34, 35a-35c, and 36, structure is shownthat serves to guide the wire during its axial movement relative to theblades, and to facilitate removal of a severed slug or slugs orinsulation or sheathing material.

In FIG. 34, wire passing in horizontal direction 500 through the bladeregion is guided by two guides generally indicated at 524 and 525. Apart of each guide is movable away from a slug of insulation formed byclosing of the blades, and wire retraction, as described above. Asshown, the two guides have parts 524a and 525a that are swingablelaterally and upwardly, away from the wire axis, as better seen in FIG.35c.

Guide part 524a is pivotally connected at 550 to blade holder 280, toswing about horizontal axis 550a extending parallel to the direction ofwire advancement. Part 524a may be considered as a trap door, in thesense that when swung to FIGS. 35c and 35a positions, it has swung awayfrom the side of the wire slug, leaving the slug free for ejection. Part524a forms a semi-circular guide surface 524a' that guides the wire 210when the part 524a is in closed position, as seen in FIG. 35b. Part 525aof guide 525 has construction and operation the same as described forpart 524a.

The guides 524 and 525 also incorporate parts 524b and 525b which act aspushers, to bodily push against the sides of the severed lengths (slugs)of sheathing, for ejecting same laterally, in cooperative conjunctionwith pivoting movement of parts 524a and 525a, as described. Thus, part524b is pivotally connected at 553 to blade holder 280, to swing abouthorizontal axis 553a, extending parallel to the direction of wireadvancement.

Part 524b may be considered as a pusher or ejector, in the sense that,as seen in FIG. 35c, it bodily ejects or displaces the wire slug 211b'laterally and downwardly, positively and assuredly away from themechanism, immediately after the trap door part 524a opens (swings tothe position seen in FIG. 35c). Part 524b has a semi-circular guidesurface 524b' that guides the wire 210 when parts 524a and 524b are inclosed positions, as seen in FIG. 35b.

Part 525b of guide 525 has a construction and operation the same asdescribed for part 524a. Parts 524a and 524b lie between glades 216a and216b, and blades 213a and 213b; and parts 525a and 525b lie betweenblades 213a and 213b, and blades 217a and 217b, as is seen from FIG. 34.

The trap door parts 524a and 524b, and pusher parts 524b and 525b, haveassociated reciprocating drives, to open and close them in timedrelation, as described. See for example in FIGS. 35a-35c the links 556and 557, respectively, pivotally connected with parts 524a and 524b, asat 556a and 557a, the links passing through guide openings 558 and 559in the blade holder structure.

FIGS. 28 and 29 show link 556 driven by a motor 560, as via crank arm561 connected to the motor shaft 560a, link 562 extending from 561 to aslider 563, and that slider also connected to link 557. Frame part 565carries the motor. Link 557 is also driven by motor 560, as via crankarm 561, link 558 extending away from 561 to a slider 559', and thatslider connected to link 557 Guide posts for the sliders appear at 563aand 559a. See also FIG. 29.

FIG. 34 shows corresponding actuating link 556' for the trap door part524a, and link 557' for the pusher part 524b, these operated in the sameway as links 556 and 557.

Finally, a sensor is provided to sense arrival of the wire endwise inproximity to the trap door parts and to the pusher elements, asdescribed. See sensor 569 in FIG. 19.

FIGS. 34 and 40 show a tapered, tubular guide 570 at which the advancingwire end arrives after traversing the blade region.

In FIG. 40, the sensor takes the form of a very lightweight, swingabledoor 571 extending across the wire path, and hinged at 572 to swingforwardly upwardly in response to engagement by the traveling wire 210bforward end 210b'. Such swinging movement is sensed, as by an opticalsensor. The latter typically includes a light beam (electromagneticwave) source 574 producing a beam sensed at 575, such sensing occurringfor example when the beam is interrupted by door swinging. This servesto notify the operator that the wire end has arrived at the sensorposition, i.e., the wire has traversed the blade zone. For example, thesensor at 575 in FIG. 42 may control drive 325, so as to stop theadvancement of the wire conveyors 249 and 250. See circuit connections576 and 577.

An alternate position for the door is shown at 571', in closer proximityto the conveyor means 249 and 250.

I claim:
 1. In apparatus for processing wire to cut the wire intosections and to strip insulation from the sections to expose sectionwire ends, the wire defining an axis, the combination comprising:a)displacing means for displacing the wire including said sections,axially endwise, b) cutter blade means having V-shaped cutting edgeslocated for displacement toward said axis to sever the wire, c) separatestrip blade means having V-shaped cutting edges located for displacementtoward said axis to cut into said insulation only and to programmeddepths, d) and means including drive means spaced from said displacingmeans, said drive means including electric motor means, and programmablecontrol means therefor, for controllably displacing said cutter blademeans to sever the wire as aforesaid and for controllably displacing thestrip blade means to cut into said insulation and to programmed andselected depths as aforesaid, e) said cutter and strip blade means beingoperatively interconnected and said control means being connected withsaid drive means to displace said cutter and strip blade means laterallyto first sever the wire and then to penetrate said insulation to saidprogrammed depths, f) each of said cutter blade means and strip blademeans being axially spaced from said displacing means, and said drivemeans also spaced from said displacing means, said cutter blade meansbeing axially spaced from said strip blade means and also spaced fromsaid drive means, said separate strip blade means spaced from said drivemeans, there being frame structure carrying said cutter blade means,said strip blade means, and said drive means, g) said control meansincluding a master controller arranged to control the drive means in apre-programmed manner to controllably displace the strip blade means topenetrate the insulation to only a selected depth, as aforesaid, wherebysaid strip blade means have portions of programmed penetration into saidinsulation, only.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said cutterblade means include cutter blades at opposite sides of said axis.
 3. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said strip blade means include stripblades at opposite sides of said axis.
 4. The combination of claim 2wherein said strip blade means include strip blades at opposite sides ofsaid axis, and said drive means is connected to said strip blade meansfor simultaneous relative movement of the strip blades oppositely towardand away from said axis.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein saiddrive means includes blade actuator means, and said programmable controlmeans includes a programmable computer means for controlling said bladeactuator means.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said displacingmeans includes endless conveyors at axially opposite sides of saidcutter blade means and strip blade means.
 7. The combination of claim 6wherein said endless conveyors includes first and second pairs ofconveyors, each pair including an endless conveyor above said axis andan endless conveyor below said axis.
 8. The combination of claim 7including conveyor first drive means carried by the frame for drivingsaid conveyors to drive the wire, said programmable control meansoperatively connected with said conveyor first drive means forcontrolling said conveyors to controllably drive the wire and said wiresections, axially, and in timed relation to said displacement of saidcutter blade means and said strip blade means.
 9. The combination ofclaim 8 including conveyor second drive means carried by the frame foreffecting movement of endless conveyors relatively toward and away fromsaid axis.
 10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said programmablecontrol means is operatively connected with said conveyor second drivemeans for controlling said movement of the conveyors relatively towardand away from said axis.
 11. The combination of claim 7 includingconveyor first drive means carried by the frame to controllably drivesaid conveyor means to:i) position the wire to be severed by firstcutter blade means, thereby to produce forward and rearward wiresections, ii) controllably relatively displace said sections axially,into positions to enable penetration of said strip blade means into saidsheathing, for subsequent stripping of selected lengths of sheathingfrom a rearward portion of the forward section and from a forwardportion of the rearward section, as during controlled endwisedisplacement of said sections by said conveyor means.
 12. Thecombination of claim 4 wherein said cutter blades have positions ofrelative overlap to sever the wire, in response to operation of saiddrive means, and said strip blades have positions of penetration onlyinto said insulation to programmed depths in response to operation ofsaid drive means to enable stripping of insulation end portions inresponse to endwise displacement of the wire.
 13. In apparatusprocessing wire to cut the wire into sections and to strip sheathingfrom the wire to expose wire ends at opposite ends of the sections, saidapparatus including, in combination:a) feed means to displace the wireendwise along an axis to a first position, b) severing means positionedto sever the wire thereby to form wire forward and rearward sections,the forward section having a rearward end portion, and the rearwardsection having a forward end portion, c) said feed means operable tothen separate said sections axially relatively endwise, d) cutter meanspositioned to then cut into the sheathing of both sectionssimultaneously, e) said feed means further operable to then furtherseparate said sections axially relatively endwise to pull sheathingslugs off said wire end portions to expose said wire ends, f) saidsevering means and cutter means positioned to then allow dropping ofsaid sheathing slugs downwardly, g) said severing means and cutter meansincluding multiple blade pairs, each pair including two bladesrespectively located at opposite sides of said axis, both blades of eachpair having V-shaped cutting edges, the V-shaped edges of both blades ofone pair being positioned to be relatively displaced toward the wire tosever the wire, and the V-shaped edges of both blades of each remainingpair being positioned to be simultaneously and relatively displacedtoward the wire sections to cut into the sheathing of both sectionssimultaneously, and to then pull sheathing slugs off said rearward andforward wire end portions, as aforesaid, h) there being a framestructure carrying said feed means, severing means and cutter means, i)and drive means operatively connected to said severing means and cuttermeans, and a master controller arranged to control said drive means in apre-programmed manner to controllably displace said cutter means topenetrate the sheathing to only a selected depth.